The UK Gambling Commission has announced a new senior role, "Head of Illegal Markets," offering a £65,000 salary to combat the burgeoning £16.6 billion black market. This move comes as research by the Betting and Gaming Council highlights a significant increase in the unlicensed gambling market, which has more than tripled since 2019. The announcement coincides with a leadership transition at the Commission and increased pressure to enhance enforcement resources. Acting CEO Sarah Gardner has welcomed £26 million in new government funding over three years to tackle illegal gambling, marking a significant step in addressing land-based illegal activities. In the 2025-26 period, the Commission issued 741 cease-and-desist notices and disrupted over 1,100 illegal sites. The new role and funding aim to bolster these efforts, although the salary has drawn criticism for being insufficient given the scale of the challenge.